Controlling your home with new technology
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Setting your programmable thermostat can be a daunting task. As a homeowner you are expected to read huge manuals and configure what seems like endless settings. The task is so confusing many homeowners only utilize the most basic settings and often lose out on valuable savings. This has become such an issue that the EPA’s energy star rating has been stripped from many thermostat manufacturers.
Why is it so important for me to control my thermostat?
According to one study, 90% of homeowners do not program their thermostats properly. This is extremely concerning when you consider the thermostat on your wall controls 50% of your homes energy bill. Much of the energy controlled by your thermostat is wasted when the heat or air conditioning stays on in an unoccupied home. Proper thermostat configuration can be generated into huge savings. In fact, some new thermostats, labeled as Smart Thermostats can save homeowners up to 20% on their energy consumption.
What is a Smart Thermostat?
Imagine a thermostat that was intelligent enough to program itself. Such a device would only exist in homes of the future, right? Not necessarily, there is a new breed of thermostat entering the HVAC market place that does just that. In fact, LeBlanc Heating sells multiple brands of these so called Smart Thermostats.
The Nest
The Nest pictured above is a stunning, sleek and modern thermostat. Developed by the same guy who created the iPod, the Nest is every bit as smart as it is beautiful. The Nest exploits sophisticated algorithms and sensors to determine energy saving tactics. It senses patterns such as work schedules and modulates temperatures accordingly. The true beauty of this thermostat is found in its simplicity, you won’t find sophisticated manuals with pages of settings. Instead the Nest monitors your lifestyle for one week; it records when you turn it up and when you turn it down. It takes what you have taught it and creates a personalized schedule for your home. Eventually, you will hardly need to touch your thermostat. Nest will use “Nest Sense” to decipher your temperature needs. If that isn’t enough to satisfy your inner nerd, the Nest is wireless and internet equipped. What does that mean for you? Well for starters you can control your Nest from anywhere in the world. You can log into your thermostat from your computer or your phone to adjust temperatures or analyze your energy history and savings.
Honeywell
Honeywell also stepped into this growing market. The Honeywell Prestige smart thermostat comes with an HD display, the ability to control multiple devices such as humidifiers and dehumidifiers. Prestige is equipped with seven day programming, and all the goodies that come with the other systems. Why not get something that’s easy to use, visually appealing and operable from anywhere? LeBlanc Heating both sells and installs all makes of Smart thermostats so if you discover a brand which we have not listed don’t hesitate to give us a call!
